The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-01
A TALK ABOUT HOME MISSIONS.
BY MARY G. BILLINGS.
tHico, Texas.)


beginning of new opportunities fol
work, by collective bodies, as well as
by individuals. AS a denomination
the more recent awakening to the i'm
portance of making greater efforts for
the spread of our! faith, is a hopeful
sign for future achievement. We may
reasonably believe HAT much good will
be accomplished u missionary work
during the coming Twelve months.
When our people are thoroughly
aroused to duty, they are never slow or
faltering in taking hold of the plough
of progressive labor, and we think we
may truthfully add they never ''look
back" 1t is not III the genius of Uni
versalism to do so-ssteadily, with face
| to the front, her noble pioneers went
forward-ploughing the new fields, and
sowing precious seed, much of which
| though like the gfain of mustard at
that time-has now become ''great
tree" so that hundreds Of strength
ened and uplifted souls, and comforted
hearts now rest under its grateful and
benign shade. Now, and especially in
this great empire State--the same pio-
neer work is needed. Without it, we
can never gain foothold here-never
spread the blessing of our precious
faith in soil, which in its extent and
capacities, promises such splendid fu-
ture results.
"More laborers for this vineyard''-
we are continually praying ng-''may the
dear Master send ~ The yield, indeed,
is ''white unto the harvest - but alas
1.-THE laborers are few We need con-
secrated young men who are willing
for time to foregoi the Establishments
of highly cultured society, and for the
Lords sake, come out into his vineyard
for the purpose of manly toll, as his
evangelists. A few years of genuine
missionary work, with small financial
pay, we believe would-eyen on hui
man and political plane, be one of the
best investments that could be made.
The physical stamina, which life in
this climate, with it's lack of luxdries,
and even it's hardships would produce
excellent results, nes % take into the ac-
count the supeffsf abstraction of hav-
ing accomplished an amount of good so
large that future years only could fully
estimate it. Then, if there is any vir-
tue in reflex, from even the toughest
toll, and hardest duty well performed
how much stronger, and abler would
such young ministers be when called to
positions of usefulness in other fields;
into more intellectual centers where
financial remuneration, and possibly
emoluments, would be greater. A knOwl-
edge of human nature,-an expert
ence among simple unconventional peo-
ple,-getting as it were-at the heart Of
humanity, is no disadvantage to the
young ministerial brother. On the con-
trary, it is a beneficial traininglprOduc-
tive of future good.
What, but the experience of Henry
Ward Beecher out on the frontier of
civilization, ever made him what he has
been, and is to-day, as a preacher
whose words like electric currents, go
straight to the heart of his hearers ?
| True, he had native talent-but that
could never have supplied the very best
OF himself and his work as a power
over his kind. Think of the work he
did out in the then ''far West ?" The
miles he rode, tie fatigues he endured,
the meagre pay received, the hardships
encountered, all Strengthening to the
young man; the sermons he preached
none of the conventional type-but good,
strong, sympathetic talks, heart to
heart with those sons and daughters of
/ toll Here was where he gained his
real power as an orator and he was
wise enough to know that in this fa-
miliar, straight forward, sympathetic
way of speaking, he could achieve the
best success. More than this, we be-
lieve, his Western experience, in its
close contact with his common fellow.
beings, in their everyday struggles,
trials, and labors, brought his heart so
fully in accord with his work, and
with a common humanity, that it has
ever since been magnetic in its responses,
and powerful in its appeals.
Right here in Texas we need a score
Of graduates from our colleges to work
as missionaries, willing for a time tc
work for their board and travelling ex-
penses. We fully believe they could
make no better investment in begin
ming a career of ministerial usefulness
In Germany, when an artisan has learn
ed a trade, he is obliged to travel few
years, working at his handicraft from
place to place. This it is considered
gives him the mastery of it. WoulC
this practice among young theologian'
be less advantageous We think not
OF all our broad territory, West ant
South, may there not be found plenty
of room for such missionary work
If a member of the General Convention
we would be very likely to try to carr,
a resolution through TO unanimous
s'ayes''-that all young nen who re